Hydrangea plant named ‘HIMOU’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant named ‘HIMOU’, characterized by its upright and broadly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; strong and sturdy stems; freely and continuous flowering habit; large and dense inflorescences with pale red purple-colored sterile flowers; and good post-production longevity.

Botanical designation: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Cultivar denomination: ‘HIMOU’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATE APPLICATIONS

Title: Hydrangea Plant Named ‘HIRIV’

Applicant: Roy Robin van Dijk

Filed: Concurrently with the instant application, Ser. No. 16/873,393

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofHydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea macrophylla,commercially referred to as a mophead-type Hydrangea and hereinafterreferred to by the name ‘HIMOU’.

The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in De Lier, The Netherlands. The objective ofthe breeding program is to create new sturdy and strong Hydrangea plantswith attractive inflorescences and good postproduction longevity.

The new Hydrangea plant originated from a cross-pollination in April,2013 of a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified ascode number 1004, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with aproprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identified as code number1011, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Hydrangeaplant was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant fromwithin the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlledgreenhouse environment in De Lier, The Netherlands in April, 2015.

Asexual reproduction of the new Hydrangea plant by terminal vegetativecuttings since June, 2015 in a controlled greenhouse environment in DeLier, The Netherlands has shown that the unique features of this newHydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘HIMOU’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘HIMOU’ as a new and distinct Hydrangea plant:

-   -   1. Upright and broadly spreading plant habit.    -   2. Freely branching habit.    -   3. Strong and sturdy stems.    -   4. Freely and continuous flowering habit.    -   5. Large and dense inflorescences with pale red purple-colored        sterile flowers.    -   6. Good post-production longevity.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the femaleparent selection. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily fromplants of the female parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are sturdier than plants of the        female parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea flower for a longer period of        time than plants of the female parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of the male parentselection. Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants ofthe male parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are sturdier than plants of the        male parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea have longer postproduction        longevity than plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangeamacrophylla ‘HIRIV’, disclosed in U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No.16/873,393 filed concurrently. Plants of the new Hydrangea differprimarily from plants of ‘HIRIV’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are larger than plants of        ‘HIRIV’.    -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea have smaller inflorescences with        fewer sterile flowers than plants of ‘HIRIV’.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can also be compared to plants of Hydrangeamacrophylla ‘Early Pink’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons,plants of the new Hydrangea differed primarily from plants of ‘EarlyPink’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Hydrangea are darker green in        color than leaves of plants of ‘Early Pink’.    -   2. Sterile flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea are sturdier        than sterile flowers of plants of ‘Early Pink’.    -   3. Sepals of sterile flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea are        more undulate than sepals of sterile flowers of plants of ‘Early        Pink’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the unique appearance ofthe new Hydrangea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailedbotanical description which accurately describe the colors of the newHydrangea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 of 2) is a side perspectiveview of a typical flowering plant of ‘HIMOU’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2 of 2) is a close-up view of atypical inflorescence of ‘HIMOU’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the followingdescription were grown during the autumn in 13-cm containers in aglass-covered greenhouse in De Lier, The Netherlands and under culturalpractices typical of commercial Hydrangea production. During theproduction of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 35° C.,night temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 22° C. and lightly levels wereabout 4,000 lux. Plants of the new Hydrangea were pinched one time andwere two years old when the photographs and description were taken. Inthe following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Plants are nottypically “blued” (treated with aluminum sulfate).

-   Botanical description: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘HIMOU’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, patent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea            macrophylla identified as code number 1004, not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, patent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea            macrophylla identified as code number 1011, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—By vegetative terminal cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About twelve days at            temperatures about 22° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two weeks at            temperatures about 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four            weeks at temperatures about 22° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About one            month at temperatures about 19° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically            white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and            formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of            roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright, broadly outwardly spreading            and mounding plant habit; flattened globular in overall            shape; strong and sturdy stems; moderately vigorous growth            habit and moderate growth rate; about six months from            propagation are required to produce a finished flowering            plant.        -   Plant height.—About 32.7 cm.        -   Plant diameter or area of spread.—About 49 cm.-   Lateral branch description:    -   -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit with about ten            lateral branches per plant; pinching enhances lateral branch            development.        -   Length.—About 17.9 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 5 mm.        -   Internode length.—About 5.5 cm.        -   Strength.—Strong, sturdy.        -   Aspect.—About 65° from vertical.        -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous; fully developed, woody.        -   Luster.—Moderately glossy.        -   Color, developing.—Close to 143B becoming closer to 144A            with development.        -   Color, fully developed.—Close to 199C, 199D and N199C.        -   Lenticels.—Density: Medium. Length: About 1.5 mm. Width:            About 0.5 mm. Color: Close to between N186C and 200C.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.        -   Length.—About 8.9 cm.        -   Width.—About 7.1 cm.        -   Shape.—Broadly ovate.        -   Apex.—Short apiculate.        -   Base.—Short attenuate.        -   Margin.—Coarsely serrate.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Slightly rugose,            glabrous; semi-glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Moderately rugose,            glabrous; slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 143A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to between 138B and            146C. Fully developed leaves, upper surface: Slightly darker            than between NN137A and 147A; venation, close to 146D. Fully            developed leaves, lower surface: Close to between 137D and            147B; venation, close to 146D.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 2.1 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm.            Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface: Smooth,            glabrous; slightly to moderately glossy. Color, upper and            lower surfaces: Close to 144A.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—Showy rotate sterile flowers and            small, inconspicuous rotate fertile flowers arranged on            mophead-type terminal panicles; panicles flattened globular            in shape; sterile flowers face upright to outwardly and            slightly drooping and fertile flowers mostly upright.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Natural flowering season.—In the garden, plants flower            continuously from the late spring to late summer in The            Netherlands; flower dormancy can be broken by giving a            two-month cold treatment.        -   Flower longevity.—Good postproduction longevity; sterile            flowers maintain good substance for about six weeks on the            plant, sterile flowers persistent; fertile flowers last            about one week on the plant, fertile flowers not persistent.        -   Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit; about 175            sterile flowers per panicle and about 75 fertile flowers per            panicle.        -   Panicle height.—About 8.9 cm.        -   Panicle diameter.—About 12.4 cm.        -   Sterile flower buds.—Length: About 7 mm. Diameter: About            1.3 cm. Shape: Cup-shaped. Color: Close to 65C to 65D.        -   Fertile flower buds.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter: About            2.5 mm. Shape: Broadly elliptic. Color: Close to 145A to            145B.        -   Sterile flower diameter.—About 3 cm.        -   Sterile flower depth (height).—About 9 mm.        -   Fertile flower diameter.—About 3.5 mm.        -   Fertile flower depth (height).—About 3 mm.        -   Petals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four in a            single whorl. Length: About 1.5 mm. Width: About 1 mm.            Shape: Broadly ovate, concave. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate.            Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening and            fully opened, upper surface: Close to N155B; color does not            change with development. When opening and fully opened,            lower surface: Close to N155B; color does not change with            development.        -   Petals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a            single whorl. Length: About 2.5 mm. Width: About 1 mm.            Shape: Ovate, concave. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin:            Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening and fully            opened, upper surface: Close to 145D; color does not change            with development. When opening and fully opened, lower            surface: Close to 144B; proximally, close to 145B; color            does not change with development.        -   Sepals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Typically            four, occasionally five, in a single whorl. Length: About            1.8 cm. Width: About 2 cm. Shape: Broadly rhomboidal to            roughly deltoid. Apex: Broad and bluntly acute to            emarginate. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire; moderately to            strongly and coarsely undulate. Texture and luster, upper            and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When            opening, upper surface: Close to 73B to 73C. When opening,            lower surface: Close to 75B to 75C. Fully opened, upper            surface: Close to 75C; distally, close to 143B, 145A, 145B            and 150C to 150D; with development, color becoming closer to            150D strongly tinged with a blend of close to 151D, N170C            and 182D with a distal blotch, close to 143A, 143B and 144A            to 144B. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 68C to 68D;            distally, close to 144A to 144D; with development, color            becoming closer to 150D, distally, strongly tinged with            close to lighter than between 180D and 182A with a distal            blotch, close to 143B and 144A to 144B.        -   Sepals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a            single whorl. Length: About 1.5 mm. Width: About 1 mm.            Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Broadly cuneate. Margin:            Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: When opening, upper and            lower surfaces: Close to 143B to 143C. Fully opened, upper            and lower surfaces: Close to 143B to 143C; color does not            change with development.        -   Pedicels, sterile flowers.—Length: About 2.2 cm. Diameter:            About 1.5 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 40°            from peduncle. Texture and luster: Densely pubescent; matte.            Color: Close to 146D; proximally, close to 75C to 75D.        -   Pedicels, fertile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter:            About 1 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 30°            from peduncle. Texture and luster: Moderately pubescent;            matte. Color: Close to 144C.        -   Reproductive organs, sterile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per            flower: Eight. Filament length: About 0.5 mm. Filament            color: Close to 156D. Anther shape: Broadly oblong. Anther            length: About 0.5 mm. Anther color: Close to 155A. Pollen            amount: None detected. Pistils: Pistil quantity per flower:            Three, occasionally two. Pistil length: About 0.75 mm.            Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma color: Close to 157D.            Style length: About 0.5 mm. Style color: Close to 157D.            Ovary color: Close to 145C to 145D.        -   Reproductive organs, fertile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per            flower: Eight. Filament length: About 0.5 mm. Filament            color: Close to 156D. Anther shape: Broadly oblong. Anther            length: About 0.5 mm. Anther color: Close to 156A. Pollen            amount: None observed. Pistils: Pistil quantity per flower:            Typically three, occasionally, two. Pistil length: About            0.75 mm. Stigma shape: Club-shaped. Stigma color: Close to            157D. Style length: About 0.5 mm. Style color: Close to            157D. Ovary color: Close to 145A.        -   Seeds.—To date, seed development has not been observed on            plants of the new Hydrangea.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: Under commercial production conditions,    plants of the new Hydrangea have been observed to tolerate Powdery    Mildew (Erysiphe friesii var. friesii) and Botrytis (Botrytis    cinerea). Plants of the new Hydrangea not been observed to be    resistant to pests and other pathogens common to Hydrangea plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been shown    to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea plant named ‘HIMOU’ asillustrated and described.